How to Become a 911 Dispatcher in Jacksonville, Arkansas

In Jacksonville 9-1-1 emergency dispatchers work in an 1800 square foot state of the art facility. They are employed directly by the city of Jacksonville and service all EMS services in the area, including police, fire and ambulance.

Step 1. Meet Education And Job Skills Requirements

In Jacksonville, Arkansas you need to have a high school diploma or equivalent in order to qualify to become a 911 dispatcher. However, earning a degree or undergraduate certificate can significantly improve your chances of being selected for the position. Also, the process of earning your credentials will help prepare you for some of the challenges and rigors of the job.

There are a number of universities and institutions in the Jacksonville area that offer courses to help you prepare for your career as an emergency dispatcher:

CPR Certification – The skills learned in this course will help you assist people in lifesaving medical maneuvers over the phone.

Criminal Justice Degree – As an emergency dispatcher you will be required to help the public stay safe from dangerous criminals. A degree in criminal justice will give you a firm basis in the workings of the criminal justice system, which will help you assist callers in staying out of harm’s way, and on the right side of the law.

Step 2. Apply For a Position in Jacksonville

Emergency dispatchers in Jacksonville start at a pay rate of $12.57 per hour. You must meet several requirements in order to be ready to successfully complete their job functions. Some of these requirements include:

Must be 18 years of age

Must be able to work any schedule: 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. [Note: Schedules are 8 hours per day, with 5 consecutive work days on, and 2 consecutive days off.]

Must have well-developed verbal and written skills

Must have previous experience with computers

Must pass a background check and drug screen prior to beginning employment.

In order to apply for the position of emergency dispatcher you should go online to print the application. Fill out the application and return it to (501) 982-4670 by fax, or by mail to:

City of Jacksonville
#1 Municipal Drive
Jacksonville, Arkansas 72076

Step 3. On-he-Job Training And Skills Development

When you begin the emergency dispatcher position you should already possess certain skills and qualities, which will be further developed on the job. These include:

Being detail oriented

Ability to multi-task

Good hand-eye coordination

Ability to follow directions and protocol accurately

There are additional skills which are essential to the job function which you will develop on the job. You will be trained on the following:

How to use police alphas

How to use police ten codes

How to use the Arkansas Crime Information Center (ACIC)

How to use the National Crime Information Center (NCIC)

Extensive vocabulary related to police, fire, and emergency response

Step 4. Seek Additional Certifications

The position of emergency dispatcher is an ever evolving position. New techniques and protocols are constantly being developed. In order to keep up-to-date it is recommended that you pursue certifications in areas related to the field.